Meet the Juventus team to take on the A-League All Stars
1:02

Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez - these are just some of the superstars that will take the field for Juventus against the A-League All Stars on August 10 in Sydney.

Fox Sports

04 Aug 2014

Sport/Football/News

The Roar's Matt Smith says the All Stars will play without fear against Juventus.Source: News Corp Australia

WHETHER it’s brave or suicidal, the A-League All-Stars will not take a backwards step when they face Juventus on Sunday.

Well aware the reputation of the competition is on the line, with a global audience watching, Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith declared it a “core principle” under coach Josep Gombau that they had to play with an absence of fear.

Determined that he and his teammates should produce a performance to look back on with pride, Smith said they was “no point in holding anything back”, despite the attacking threat posed by Juventus stars such as Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Arturo Vidal.

A-League All Stars held to 0-0 draw by Young Socceroos
1:21

The A-League All Stars look to have a busy week ahead after being held to a 0-0 draw by the Young Socceroos in a friendly on Tuesday night.

Fox Sports

06 Aug 2014

Sport/Football/A-League

Smith and teammate Jade North lined up together in defence as the All-Stars were held 0-0 by the Young Socceroos on Tuesday night, their only competitive preparation for Sunday.

“One of the core principles we’ve talked about, a point made by the players and the coaching staff, is that we must not play with fear,” Smith said.

“The mindset has to be one of being brave, of offering a challenge. It’s been emphasised that the players have to put their best foot forward, because in 10 years’ time we don’t want to look back in regret at not having seized the opportunity to attack.

Alessandro del Piero facing celebration dilemma vs Juventus
1:00

Former Sydney FC forward Alessandro del Piero has arrived in Australia ahead of this Sunday's A-League All Stars clash with Juventus.

Fox Sports

04 Aug 2014

Sport/Football/A-League

“There is no point in holding anything back, not on a special occasion like this. It’s not surprising that most people will go to the game hoping to see the attacking prowess of Juventus, but it is only 90 minutes of football.

“We are preparing as best we can to be competitive, and even try to win. But in a way more important than the result is the performance, for the reputation of the A-League.

“We know there’ll be times in the game when we’re under pressure and have to be structured and disciplined in defence.

Alessandro Del Piero during a training session with the A League All Stars.Source: News Corp Australia

“But equally the best form of defence remains attack, and that’s something that not only have we shown at Brisbane but it’s how Josep likes to play at Adelaide.

“When the opportunity presents itself to attack, we won’t be scared to go for it.”

With the game televised in Italy and around the world, Smith acknowledged that the level of performance his side could muster was important.

“Certainly the level of the league has increased on and off the pitch over recent years, and people around the world are now aware of the A-League and have seen it,” he said.

Alessandro Del Piero leaps high to get control of the ball during a training session.Source: News Corp Australia

“The marquee players who have come here and the like have helped, and the interest is definitely climbing. People will watch this game to see how the players from the Australian league compare against one of the best teams in the world.”

Smith also brushed aside the result against Paul Okon’s Young Socceroos, believing the opportunity for the All-Stars’ disparate teammates to play together was the only focus.

“The game was a valuable exercise for Sunday — the players in the squad play many different systems, and we’re trying to implement the ideas of Josep,” he said.

“So the game was about trying to understand each other’s movement, where our strengths are, and now we need to look at the video and see where we need to improve.”

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.